Becoming a Barrister

Barristers are lawyers with specialist skills as independent advocates and advisors. To be admitted to practice as a barrister in Victoria, lawyers must qualify for and complete the Bar Readers' Course.

This section looks at life as a barrister and explains the steps to becoming a barrister in Victoria.

To become a barrister in Victoria you must:

be a practicing lawyer;

pass the entrance examination set by the Victorian Bar to qualify for a place in the Readers' Course;

satisfactorily complete the eight week Readers' Course; and

work under an approved mentor at the Victorian Bar for a period of seven months following the Readers' Course.

Click on the links to the right for more detailed information.

Step Up to the Bar

In addition to the information in this section, the Bar runs an annual Step Up to the Bar event during Law Week where you can hear from barristers at all levels of seniority about their pathways to the Bar and their experiences as a barrister, talk to barristers' clerks and members of the Education Committee. You can discuss your potential to become a barrister with members of the Bar's Education Team.

The next Step Up to the Bar session will be held on Tuesday 15 May 2018, from 5.30pm - 6.30pm in the Neil McPhee Room, level 1 Owen Dixon Chambers East, 205 William Street, Melbourne. There is no need to register to attend this event. All welcome.

A Step Up to the Bar session was held on Tuesday 16 May 2017, please see the video below to view the recording of the session.